Working in Iraq...

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

How safe is this?
Anyone any experience?

My OH is due to work in Basrah (sp?) for a 6 month stint (I.T. work for the armed forces)
It was always on the cards, he has wanted to do it for ages
I agreed at first..blah blah, now it is all coming to fruition

Security checks, a course away to teach him how to make detonators and bombs, forms to fill out, this and that, and today he passed his strict medical (that I thought he would fail Rolling Eyes

)

So, he could be out there in the next 4-8 weeks

He keeps saying he will be safe, is on a secure base etc etc, but the thought is starting to scare me a tad!
They won't even let them set foot on the plane out there without body armour on!! Shocked

I can't stop him though. He wants to do it, really wants to, so it's up to him at the end of the day.

JO xx
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Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

My dad is going over in may for a second time this time surveilance with the sas. He is using those remote controlled planes and brought a camera lens home the other day that is like the size of my leg.

He went last time and wasn't really on patrol but its not really that dangerous, so he said. Anyway look at the statistics. Said all the iraq police/army/general people are theiving scum though. Laughing

numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

check out this beast Laughing

https://img125.imageshack.us/img125/9483/dsc00386wi4.jpg

cqueen · World Chat Champion Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Karma :

Is he in the forces? if not then he better be getting paid a fortune to do it!

MarJay · But it's British! Joined: 15 Sep 2003 Karma :

JonB · Afraid of Mileage Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Karma :

Watch out though, Iran might kidnap him claiming he was in their country. Laughing

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Silver · World Chat Champion Joined: 03 Oct 2004 Karma :

colin1 · Captain Safety Joined: 17 Feb 2005 Karma :

i believe he said it was leg sized, although that may not be its technical specification
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Edicap · Spanner Monkey Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Karma :

Hi mate,

I've been out there twice, both times working from Basrah Palace whilst doing Helicopter op's. Obviously a lot will depend on where he is staying and where he is working?

Whilst not trying to scare you I would be fibbing if I said it was like a Club 18-30 holiday in Ibiza so I'll try and tell it how it is! Our camp on a good day would get mortared around twice a day, on a bad day around seven or eight times. The camp itself is set in another camp, see below diagram.

https://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/martin4356/CAMP.jpg

The inner perimeter is patrolled 24/7 and the outer perimeter is also patrolled 24/7. If he has to travel by road a fair bit, he'll be at more risk of roadside bombs or suicide bombers, travelling by air is far safer and is the best method.

He'll have a blast out there, I loved it both times and would definately go again!

Thumbs Up

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numark1 · Scared of girls Joined: 09 May 2004 Karma :

Grav · World Chat Champion Joined: 12 Jul 2004 Karma :

A friend of mine is out there at the moment and I just want him to keep his head down and come home safely.

WishayKillie · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Mar 2005 Karma :

Edicap · Spanner Monkey Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Karma :

Hey Jodie,

I've got a bit more time tonight so I thought I would reply again Very Happy

I've just got a few questions though as if I was your other half, I'd be mega concerned Shocked

JodieWodie · Reflective Banana Joined: 22 Jul 2004 Karma :

Edicap-
"You say he is doing IT work for the forces, why on earth is he being taught how to make detonators and bombs? I've been out twice and I'm in the RAF, I was never taught that and I'm quite concerned that your other half (a civvie) is being taught it? "

He is deadly serious. They taught them how bombs work, and how detonators work etc... As a 'precaution' I guess. They were also taught how to evacuate, rolling and all that stuff... in case the camp gets bombed/taken over

Thanks to all for the replies!
Haven't had much time on here of late
____________________
Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow"

beatnck · Could Be A Chat Bot Joined: 29 May 2006 Karma :

i think im going out there later this year, there has been talk of sending a few of us over to 'make up the numbers'.
not sure what to think really, ive not been in the ta long, and ive never served over seas. Shocked

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no silly comment here!!

Edicap · Spanner Monkey Joined: 30 Oct 2006 Karma :